Amazon Fire Phone Preview

Amazon announced its first smartphone, dubbed the Fire Phone. An AT&T Exclusive, a 32GB version will cost as little as $199 with a two-year contract, while the 64GB version will run you $299 (also with a contract). Pre-orders are already being taken, units will ship on July 25th.

The Fire Phone is build around a quad-core 2.2 GHz processor with 2GB of RAM. Running on the Android-based, Fire OS (operating system), it features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies as well as access to 3G and 4GLTE cellular data networks.

The Fire Phone's standout feature may just be its 4.7-inch HD display. While not the largest, and nor does it have the most pixels (at 1280x720 with 315ppi), this new display boasts 590 nits of brightness, a circular polarizer, dynamic image contrast, and what Amazon calls Dynamic Perspective. What's that? Technically, a "custom-designed sensor system that responds to how you hold, view, and move your phone. Basically, it's a glasses-free 3D display that adapts to your head movement while adding helpful shortcuts when moving the phone itself.

Next, let's talk about the camera. Amazon has added a 13-megapixel CMOS image sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) and a super-bright f/2.0 aperture lens. Full 1080p HD video at 30 fps is a must, though there is no word on any slow motion. There are also Panorama, Burst Capture, Lenticular, and Intelligent HDR modes. But here's a pretty groundbreaking move: Amazon Fire Phone includes FREE unlimited photo (note: not videos) storage at full resolution via Amazon Cloud Drive. Currently, other phones only offer about 5-10GB of complimentary face.

The Fire Phone has been designed to work within the entire Amazon ecosystem and alongside other hardware like the Fire TV. Meaning, if you have a Fire Phone, you're going to want Amazon Prime. Fortunately, for a limited time, if you purchase a Fire Phone, you'll get 12-months of the Amazon Prime service which, in addition to free two-day shipping, gives users access to Amazon Prime Instant Video (tons of free TV shows and movies), Amazon Music (brand new), and the Amazon Prime Kindle Lending Library.

Lastly, in addition to many built-in apps (and many more available via Amazon's Appstore), the Fire Phone aims to improve the shopping process as well as seeking out customer service. Firefly is an app which uses the phone's camera and microphones to scan objects, entertainment content, and bar / QR codes, and then give you options to purchase them. Finally, if you worry about getting a new plane because you have to pay extra for customer service, the Fire Phone includes the Mayday app which promises help for every customer within 15 seconds.

Amazon Fire Phone Features

Fire OS 3.5.0

Quad-core 2.2 GHz processor (Adreno 330 GPU)

2GB RAM

Wi-Fi & 3G & 4G LTE & Bluetooth

32GB-64GB

4.7-inch HD display with Dynamic Perspective (3D)

1280x720

315ppi

590 nits brightness

dynamic image contrast

circular polarizer

13MP rear-facing camera

f/2.0 lens

O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization)

Full 1080p HD Video @ 30fps

FREE unlimited (and optional automatic) storage on Amazon Cloud Drive

Panorama

Lenticular

Burst Capture

Intelligent HDR

Dual Stereo Speakers

Dolby Digital Plus surround sound

Music Apps

Amazon Prime Music

Sirius XM

Spotify

iHeart Radio

Pandora

Video Apps

Amazon Instant Video

Netflix

HBO Go

ESPN Sports Center

YouTube

Showtime Anytime

Amazon Kindle & Kindle Newsstand

Mayday Help app FREE

24/7/365 15 seconds or less

Firefly

Battery Life

22 hours talk time

285 hours standby

11 hours video playback

65 hours audio playback

In the Box

USB Charging Cable & Power Adapter

Premium Headphones with Remote & MIc

Quick Start Guide

Optional Accessory Covers

Leather

Black or Cayenne

Polyurethane

Black, Cayenne, Citron, Blue, or Royal

The Amazon Fire Phone is an AT&T exclusive, available for pre-order today. Units ship July 25th (2014).

The 32GB Fire Phonewill cost $199 with a two-year contract, $649 without a service plan, or $27/month via AT&T Next.

The 64GB Fire Phone will cost $299 with a two-year contract or $749 without a service plan.

For a limited time, purchasing an Amazon Fire Phone includes 12 months of Amazon Prime. Even if you're an existing customer.

Additional Product Views

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.